Page 37 of Baby By my Best Friend's Daddy

“You’re not texting a work friend. No one smiles like that when a work friend texts them. Who is it?”

I blushed hard and bit my bottom lip. “It’s this guy I’ve been seeing.”

Celine’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Is he hot?”

“He’s on a whole different level of hot.” I sighed. “He’shandsome. And caring and funny and sweet and—”

Celine groaned. “God, you’re in love.”

“Don’t tell Brad, okay?”

“Why?” Celine asked. “Are you trying to spare his feelings? Is there something between you, after all?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head quickly. “It’s just…” I hesitated, unsure how much to say.

“You know you can tell me,” Celine said. “It’s not like I have anyone I desperately want to tell shit to. You’re my only real friend.”

The compliment was so honest and so straightforward, it caught me off guard.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Celine scoffed. “I’m just telling you, you can trust me.”

“I’m just not used to a straight compliment without some insult tossed in.”

Celine shrugged. “It’s so you know how serious I am when I say it.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Celine.”

“So?”

I hesitated but decided I could trust Celine.

“I don’t want Brad to know because… it’s Landon.” I worried my bottom lip, waiting for a response.

“What’s Landon?” Celine asked, confused. It only took a second before her eyes widened. “Oh. It’sLandon.”

I nodded and rolled my lips together. “I know it’s weird, but it’s not when I’m with him. He’s so great, Celine. He’s everything I could have wanted in a man, and he’s serious about this, too. He’s taking me out on a date tomorrow, and I think I want to do this with him.”

Celine frowned. “A relationship?”

I nodded.

“I don’t know… it’s a dangerous game you’re playing. It’s your best friend’s dad. It’s so taboo.”

“I know, I know,” I said. “I keep telling myself that, but I can’t stay away from him, and, to tell you the truth, I don’t want to.”

Celine glanced toward the restrooms. Brad was on his way back.

“Please, don’t tell him,” I begged. “I’ll talk to him, but not yet. I want to figure out what this is first. I want to see where this goes without all the added pressure it will bring when we do tell people.”

“I get it,” Celine said. “And I won’t tell him. If anyone gets not wanting to play by the rules and stick to the norms, it’s me. Just be careful, okay?”

I nodded.

“Be careful with what?” Brad asked when he sat down.

“With working double shifts,” I lied. “I want to pick up more shifts to… get in a bit more cash. Celine is worried I’ll overwork myself.”

Brad snorted. “She doesn’t know what work is, let aloneoverwork.”

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